A boy has been arrested in connection with the assault in Droitwich

POLICE cordoned off areas of a Droitwich estate after a serious sexual assault took place in a park.

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the incident which happened at 8.45pm last night at the park in Shepherds Way, on the Westlands estate.

Areas including the park, a house in Meadow Way, a nearby alleyway and part of the canal were cordoned off and a police investigation was launched in the early hours of this morning.

A West Mercia Police spokesman said they take any reports of this nature, which were rare, very seriously and a thorough investigation was underway.

He said: "We are in the very early stages and we have got a male suspect in custody but we want to reassure the public that it is an isolated and very rare incident."

A nearby resident, who declined to be named, said they had seen police gathering forensic evidence from the park yesterday morning.

The cordons are due to be removed from all areas tonight.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the evening of the assault and anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Kate Stevens on the non-emergency police number 101.

Information can also be passed anonymously through the charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111.